Chiefs and Eagles advance to Super Bowl LIX

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There are two teams left to battle for the top prize of the National Football League’s Vince Lombardi Trophy, which goes to the winner of Super Bowl LIX. The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will face each other for that coveted piece of hardware in New Orleans on Feb. 9. The two professional football combatants emerged victorious in their respective conference championship games.

The Kansas City Chiefs, two-time defending Super Bowl champions, continued their march to NFL history with their 32-29 triumph over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC title game at Geha Arrowhead Stadium. The Philadelphia Eagles destroyed the Washington Commanders by the record-setting score of 55-23 at Lincoln Stadium in the City of
Brotherly Love.

The Chiefs once again found a way to win a one-score game, the 12th of this NFL season. Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who threw 18 for 26 for 245 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 43 yards and two touchdowns, outdueled Bills star quarterback Josh Allen, who threw 22 for 34 for 237 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 39 yards, once again in playoff competition. The Chiefs are 4-0 in postseason games between the two teams. Their teams staged another classic down-to-the-wire, nail-biting, nerve-racking contest that was decided in the final seconds.

Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown catches a ball in traffic against the Bills. PHOTO: Courtesy of Kansas City Chiefs/NFL

The Chiefs scored first on a nine-play/90-yard drive capped off by a 12-yard scoring run by Kareem Hunt. The Bills scored the next 10 points on a 53-yard field goal by Tyler Bass, the longest in the history of Arrowhead Stadium, and an 11-yard scoring run by James Cook, which was set up by a fumble by Mahomes. This was the Chiefs’ first turnover in nearly 500 snaps.

Mahomes rectified that mistake with an 11-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Xavier Worthy with 4:13 left in the second quarter. A 44-yard punt return by Nikko Remigio and a 26-yard reception by Worthy led to a one-yard scoring run by Mahomes to give Kansas City a 21-10 lead with 1:55 left in the second quarter.

Josh Allen then took center stage by leading his team on a rapid touchdown drive, ending with a dazzling 34-yard over-the-shoulder catch by Mac Hollins. The Chiefs stopped the two-point conversion attempt and took a 21-16 lead into halftime.

Back came the Bills with a 12-minute scoring drive in the third quarter to take a 22-21 lead on a one-yard touchdown run by James Cook at 2:56. Again, the Chiefs’ defense stopped the two-point conversion. This was a recurring theme that played a significant role in the outcome.

The game turned back in Kansas City’s favor when the Bills failed to convert on a fourth and one-yard attempt at midfield. The two sideline officials disagreed on the placement of the football — one having the Bills getting a first down, the other claiming they were short.  Video replay ruled in favor of the hometown Chiefs.

Mahomes quickly led his team to a score, finishing the drive with a 10-yard run. A successful two-point conversion ran the count to 29-22 in favor of the Chiefs.

Back came the Bills on a four-yard touchdown pass from Allen to Curtis Samuel on another fourth down situation. Mahomes was good to tie the game at 29 with 6:15 to play in the fourth quarter.

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts scampers for a touchdown. PHOTO: Courtesy of Eagles /NFL

It was time for Mahomes magic, and the wizard of late-game heroics drove his team into field goal range for All-Pro kicker Harrison Butker, whose successful 35-yarder gave his team their final margin of victory, but not without more drama.

The Chiefs got a major break when Bills’ tight end Dalton Kincaid failed to catch a desperation heave by Allen on, you guessed it, a fourth-down play. A blitz on the play, called by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnola, was a key factor. The Chiefs ran out the last minute plus of regulation with Mahomes hitting running backs Isiah Pacheco and Samaje Perrine on clutch passes for first downs and a trip to a third straight Super Bowl.

“It may not be pretty, but we find different ways to win,” said Chiefs coach Andy Reid. Quarterback Mahomes said, “As teammates, we just believe in each other, which contributes to
our success.”

Very much subdued, Bills quarterback Josh Allen said, “It’s not fun. But to be the champs, you gotta beat the champs, and we didn’t do it tonight.”

The Chiefs will face the soaring Philadelphia Eagles, who plastered the Washington Commanders, ending a dream season for rookie quarterback Jaylen Daniels. This contest was a game for a few brief moments as Daniels led his team on an 18-play opening drive, which produced a field goal and a 3-0 lead.

Saquon Barkley, who will play in his first Super Bowl, said, “My record-setting season is something that I am proud of, but the ultimate goal for this team is to win a Super Bowl. Now, we have our chance, and we plan to make the most of the opportunity.”

“This team wants to complete our Super Bowl mission this time around,” said Jalen Hurts, who is playing in his second Super Bowl.

The stage is set for Super Bowl LIX with the Kansas City Chiefs, winners of 17 straight one-score games, attempting to become the first team in the Super Bowl era to win three straight Lombardi Trophies, and the Philadelphia Eagles, playing in their second Super Bowl in the last three years, trying to avenge their 38-35 setback to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.

Going into this game, the Eagles are 1-3 in Super Bowl appearances, and the Chiefs are 4-2. One of these combatants will be a team of destiny.